IMPHAL, December 11: The High Court of Manipur has restrained construction of the proposed National Sports University at the 44-Yaithibi Loukon and directed both the State and Centre to strictly follow the provisions of law and other relevant Acts and Rules while acquisitioning land for the purpose, said president of the Affected Land Owners Assn Against the Land Acquisition for the Sports University, Md Alimmuddin today.
Speaking at a press conference held today at the Manipur Press Club, he said that court direction was issued on Dec 8 in regards to a writ petition filed by the association against the government decision to acquire land Yaithibi Loukon for the sports university.
He said the land owners welcome the decision to set up the National Sports University in Manipur, however, feel at the same time that such project should be undertaken by following the prescribed procedure.
He said the govt had violated the provisions of Section 4, 5, 6 & 7 of the right of fair compensation and transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 and the Schedule Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Right) Act 2006.
He continued that they had also met with the deputy director of the Sports Authority of India, JN Sports Complex, New Delhi on Nov 19, and submitted a memorandum which was earlier submitted to both the Prime Minister and the Sports Minister.
During the meeting, the official had assured that the foundation stone laying ceremony for the sports university which was already scheduled for Nov 30 during the PM`™s visit to the State to participate in the Manipur Sangai Festival closing function would be cancelled, he claimed.
The official`™s assurance came after hearing the objections from the association against the land acquisition, he said.
He said the association will hold a public meeting on the issue on December 20.